Machine for sorting cards perforated in alphabetical code



Sept. 7, 1948.

E. A. FORD 2,443,738 MACHINE FOR SORTING CARDS PERFORATED IN ALPHABETICAL CODE Filed May 5, 1947 e Sheets-Sheet 1 llll l l I I I ll J H M EUGENE A. FoRp T-ZE- l E. A. FORD 2, MACHINE FOR SORTING CARDS PERFORATED IN ALPHABETICAL CODE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept, 7, 1948.

Filed ma 3,1947

m M a a W W- a M o mm) 3 mm}. .L 5. s 3x N Nm-W .N w% 3 W8 Q Q E 62 8 g N mb v@ 33 Q EN. wNN m m y T m J N Q Q w a, .QNN *Qw w vwm wm mm J Q Q8 @u I S NM Q W R Q Q Q Q 3Q NQ N 3 v mm 3w @N \h l 5 m -N h AGENT ,Sept. 7, 1948. FORD 2,448,788

MACHINE FOR SORTING CARDS PERFORATED IN ALPHABETICAL CODE Filed May 3, 1947 6 Sheets Sheet 5 5- 3 Tia- INVENTOR v EUGENE A. F RD BY -%Wil4.

AGENT Sept. 7, 1948. FORD 2,448,788

MACHINE FOR SORTING CARDS PERFORATED IN ALPHABETICAL CODE Filed May 3, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR EUGENE A. FORD 6M R. M

AGENT Sept. 7, 1948. FQRD 2,448,788

MACHINE FOR SORTING CARDS PERFORATED IN ALPHABETICAL CODE Flled May 3, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 'INVENTOR EUGENE A. FORD BY ed-waud R-{OW AGENT FORD v MACHINE FOR SORTING CARDS PERFORATED IN ALPHABETICAL CODE Sept. 7, 194s.

Filed May 3, 1947 e Sheets-Sheet e F V I] Mil/M4701 9 a? 7; 5? 45 a 1? 05 11912 l2 Zfl/Vf M 6 MIL 4/1/61 v v y 20/)[0/196 M lYl/MSF/' 50 97 Ma 0 mow/y mo? wma/c m. Erma/ 1 INVENTOR I Patented Sept. 7, 1948 MACHINE FOR SOB-TING CARDS PER- FORATED IN ALPHABETICAL CODE Eugene A. Ford, Endicott, N. Y., asslgnor to International Business Machines. Corporation, New

York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 3, 1947, Serial No. 745,835

7 Claims. (01. 209-110) The present invention relates to controllin instrumentalities for card distributing mechanisms employed in connection with sorting machines, such instrumentalities-being commonly referred to in the card sorting machine art as analyzing units. More specifically, the invention relates to analyzing units of the general type shown and described in my prior Patent No. 1,880,428, dated October 4, 1932, and entitled "Sorting machine for record cards." Analyzing devices of this type involve a method of and apparatus for controlling the receiving ends of the chute blades which conduct each card from the analyzing station to its respective card-receiving pocket after the selecting or analyzing device indicates to which pocket the card should go.

Whereas in the above mentioned patent the analyzing unit shown and described is designed for use in connection with chute blades which are relatively wide and overlap each other so that all of the blades are superimposed in series. sorting machines of more recent design employ rela- Briefiy, the invention contemplates the provision of a series of blade lifters, one for each chute blade, the upper ends of which are designed for engagement with the forward ends of the various chute blades to elevate the same when the lifters are fully elevated. Normally, the lifters all assume a partially elevated position at the commencement of a card cycle, but in such position tively thin, narrow chute blades which are arranged in side-by-side relationship in parallelism along the card line. These blades are of successive lengths so as to terminate at their respective card-receiving bins or pockets. The present analyzing unit is particularly well adapted for use in connection with chute blades of the character set forth above. although the same may, by suitable modiflcation, if desired, be designed for use with other types of blades including those shownin the above mentioned patent. Irrespective, however, of the particular type of chute blade construction employed, the essential features of the improved analyzing unit are at all times preserved.

. The present analyzing unit is capable of accommodating the sorting of record cards which have been punched with numeric desi nations, alphabetic designations, or both. In other words, the unit is so designed as to be capable of directing a record card which contains a single numeric peri'oration in any selected card column to a corresponding card-receiving pocket, as for example, a pocket designed for selective reception of cards bearing designations 0" to 9" inclusive or special designations such as "11 and 12." The unit is also designed to direct record cards which contain multiple perforations in any selected card column to a corresponding pocket, as for example, a pocket designed to selectively receive cards bearing alphabetic designations A to Z inclusive, in which case the card will have two perforations in a selected card column.

the lifters closely underlie the blades and do not touch or elevate the same. The lower ends of the lifters are adapted to normally rest upon a series of cams, one for each lifter. The cams, lifters and blades are divided into four zones which are herein termed the 0" zone, 11".zone, 12" zone and numeric zone, respectively. The blades associated with the 0 'zone control cards perforated and designed for reception in the Z to S pockets (reading backward). The blades as,- sociated with the 11 zone control the distribution of cards perforated and designed for reception in the R to J pockets (reading backward). The blades associated with the 12 zone control the distribution of cards perforated and designed for reception in the I to A pockets (reading backward). --Finally, the blades associated with the numeric'zone control cards designed for reception in the 9 to 0 pockets (reading downward numerically), and the i1 and 12 pockets respectively. 4

These two latter pockets are provided for the purpose of receiving cards bearing special designations or perforations in the 11 or 12 index positions of any selected card column to the exclusion of any other perforation in the same column,

The cams are of the "drop-off type as distinguished from the lifter" type of cams shown in my above mentioned patent. in other words. the cams are so arranged upon a common shaft as to permit dropping off of their respective lifters in each zone from their partially elevated initial positions to their fully lowered positions in seriatim. Thus at the-end of each card cycle the cams will be in such positions that all of the lifters in each zone may have assumed their lowermost positions.

The cards are fed past the sensing station of the sorting machine with the 9 hole leading and where a card is punched with a numeric designation, 1. e., with a single perforation in a selected card column, when this perforation is sensed an electromagnet associated with the chute blades of the numeric zones becomes energized, thus causing a numeric latch member to be projected into the downward path of movement of such chute blade lifters as have not become lowered at the particular time the perforation is sensed. Thereafter, although the drop-oil cams will move away from the partially elevated lifters, these lifters will not drop off inasmuch as they are supported on the numeric latch. However, all of the lifters associated with the 0, 11 and 12 zones will drop off under the influence of their respective dropofl cams. Toward the end of the card cycle, when all of the lifters would normally have been lowered were it not for the latching efl'ect of the numeric latch member, a bail cam becomes effective to elevate a bail member and engage the underneath side of the projected numeric latch member to elevate the latch bodily and carry upwardly with it all of the supported chute blade lifters in the numeric zone. The upper ends of these lifters thus engage the forward ends of their respective chute blades and the chute blades are carried upwardly, thus creating a card opening between these blades and the other blades which remain lowered. The card then enters the path provided for it and is conducted to the proper numeric pocket for which it is designed.

Immediately prior to entry of the card into the space existing between the raised and lowered chute blades, a separator slide is moved beneath the forward edges of the raised blades. This slide is relatively wide and is possessed of a smooth surface and is provided for the purpose of protecting the forward edges of the card from the relatively sharp edges of the blades, thus preventing damage to the card.

Where alphabetic sorting operations are resorted to, the card will contain two perforations in a signle card column. One of these perfora tions will be a numeric perforation from to 9 inclusive and the other will be a zone perforation, namely, a perforation in the 0, 11 or 12 position of the same column. Since the card is fed with the 9 hole leading, the flrst'perforation encountered at the sensing station will be the numeric perforation, whatever it may be. Upon sensing of this perforation, the magnet associated with the numeric zone will become energized, thus projecting the numeric latch previously mentioned. At the same time, another magnet associated with a common latch member will become energized, thus additionally projecting the common latch member into the paths of movement of such chute blade lifters as have not at the time dropped off. The common latch is a wide one and bridges the entire span of all of the chute blade lifters. It has no efl'ect whatsoever on numeric sorting operations but is essential to all alphabetic sorting operations. As previously stated, the various lfters drop off in each zone in seriatim and thus projection of the common latch will serve to maintain elevated only such liftersin each zone, namely, the 0, ll, 12 and numeric zones, as have not become lowered at the time the numeric perforation is sensed. In other words, certain lifters in each zone will be lowered and other lifters in these zones will be elevated at the time the common latch goes into effect. The common latch is, in effect, a storage latch and prevents the elevated latches in the 0, 11 and 12 zones from dropping off until it has been determined whether a second perforation in the same card column will ultimately be encountered, thus definitely establishing the record card as an alphabetically punched card instead of a numerically punched card.

As the card proceeds through the sensing station, when the second or zone perforation is encountered, additional magnets and latches may be actuated. If the zone perforation is a 4 12 perforation a magnet associated with a latch in the 12 zone will become energized, thus pro- Jecting a 12 latch into the path of the partially elevated, chute blade lifters in the 12 zone which have been held elevated by he common latch. In such an instance, when the bail cam goes into effect it will elevate both projected latches, namely, the 12 and the numeric latches, thus carrying the partially elevated lifters in these zones fully upwardly to raise their corresponding chute blades. If the second perforation in the card exists in the 11 zone a magnet associated with an additional latch in this zone will become energized and this latter or 11 latch will be projected into the paths of movement of the partially elevated lifters in the 11 zone. A pair of normally open contacts associated with the 11 latch become closed when the 11 latch is projected and these contacts control energization of the magnet associated with the 12 latch. Thus three latches, namely, the 11 latch, 12 latch and numeric latch, will become projected to maintain the partially elevated lifters in the'.

11, 12 and numeric zones elevated until such time as the-bail cam becomes effective to lift all of these-three latches and raise the chute blades to create a single and definite card path between the adjacent chute blades.

If the second perforation in a selected card column exists in the 0 zone, an electromagnet associated with a 0 latch is energized and the 0 latch is projected into the path of movement of the elevated lifters in the 0 zone. A pair of contacts associated with the 0 latch become closed, thus energizing the magnet of the 11 zone and projecting the 11 latch forwardly. As previously stated, movement of the 11 latch forwardly closes a pair of contacts which are effective to cause projection of the 12 latch. The numeric latch having already been projected when the numeric perforation was first encountered, all four of the latches, namely, the 0, 11, 12 and numeric latches, are projected forwardly. Tnus, when the bail cam becomes eflective to lift all four of these latches, all of the chute blade lifters in all of the zones which have been maintained elevated by the common latch will be carried upwardly to lift their respective chute blades. In order to bridge the gap existing between the last elevated chute blade lifter in the numeric zone and the first elevated chute blade lifter in the 12 zone, and to bridge the gap between the last elevated chute blade lifter in the 12 zone and the first elevated chute blade lifter in the 11 zone, and to bridge the gap between the last elevated chute blade lifter in the 11 zone and the first elevated lifter in the 0 zone, a plurality of bridge elements are provided and these elements have an upper edge substantially flush with the upper edges of the chute blade lifters and are adapted to be elevated when the next adjacent lifter in the next adjacent zone become elevated. In this manner, it is insured that at all times only one card path between adjacent chute blades will be provided for an on-' coming card.

At the end of each machine cycle, certain cam actuated latch restoring mechanisms become effective to restore the four zone latches and the common latch to their retracted positions preparatory to commencement 'of the next machine cycle.

The provision of a card distributing unit of the character set forth above being the principal object of the invention, another object thereof s is to provide such a unit which is positive and eiiicient in its operation and which may be operated at an unusually high rate of speed. The

illustrated in the accompanying drawings which. disclose, by way of example. the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle;

In the drawings: a

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an analyzing unit constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and showing the driving mechanism therefor. In this view, certain parts have been broken away to more clearly reveal the nature of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-4 of Fig. 2.

r Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line H of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a ditic view illustrative of certain principles involved in connection with the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram for the analyzing unit.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, only those features of the actual sorting machine which are requisite to the present analyzing unit for illustrative purposes have been shown. Thus, th sorting machine includes front and rear members Ill and I2.- These two members form a stationary part of the sorting machine'framework and have extending thereacross the usual pairs ofcard feeding rolls. The first pairs of feed rolls do not appear herein. The second pairs of feed rolls appear at the right-hand side of Fig. 2 and include upper and lower rolls l4 and I6 mounted on feed roll shafts l8 and 20 respectively. The third pairs of feed rolls 2| and 22 (see also Fig. 1) are mounted on feed roll shafts 24 and 20, these latter shafts being operatively associated with the analyzing unit comprising the present invention. The fourth pairs oi feed rolls 2! and 39 are mounted on feed roll shafts 32 and 34 respectively and these latter shafts likewise are operatively associated with the present analyzing unit. Subsequent pairs of feed rolls beyond the analyzing unit in the direction of card travel may vary according to the type ofsorting machine with which. the present analyzing unit is associated. For illustrative purposes, however, the analyz ng unit is shownas being associated with a multideck sorter which specifically is of the triple deck type and having a series of chute blades 35includlng a series of upwardly directed blades generally designated at at leading to an upper card level, a series of horizontally disposed blades h leading to an intermediate card level and a. series of downwardly directed blades 1 leading to a lower card level. Upper, intermediate and lower feed mils 31, 3! and respectively mounted on cross sh-afts ll convey the cards along their respective card levels. The various feed rolls at pable of use insingle deck or multi-deck sorters of various descriptions wherever alphabetic and numeric sorting operatio are both contemplated.

The various sets of f (1 rolls thus far described are adapted to be driven in any suitable manner either by conventional. belt drive mechanism or by a train or gearing. such as is illustrated herein. In this latter instance each of the lower feed roll shafts 2|, 2!, 34, etc., projects completely through the'rear member ll of the sorting machine and has mounted on its outer end a spiral gear ll designedfor meshing engagement with a cooperating spiral gear 38 carried on a common shaft ill, the latter shaft being suitably driven by gearing leading from the driving motor (not shown) of the sorting machine. Prior to arrival of the record cards at the analy ing station aiforded by the present analyzing unit they are caused to pass through a conventional sensing station 8 which has not been shown herein in detail but which appears in the circuit dia-' gram of Fig. 7 diagrammatically in the form of a contact roll 0 and sensing brush 3 designed to make electrical contact with each other through the perforations occurring in a selected column of the record cards. From the sensing station the cards pass between upper and lower card guides 44 and l and are conducted to the second pair of feed rolls ll. it, from whence they continue between the card guides to the feed rollers 2 I, 22 and upon arrival thereat they enter the card distributing station S for treatment'in a manner that will be made clear presently. In passing through the distributing station, proper pocketselection is made by the analyzin instrumentalities and from thence the cards pass rearwardly of the machine in the proper paths selected for them by the various chute blades for distribution to their respective pockets. Inasmuch as the present disclosure is or a fragmentary nature, 1. e., since only those portions of the sorting machine pertinent to the analyzing unit have been shown, only a fragmentary portion of one of the receiving pockets or receptacles in the entire series of thirty-eight alphabetic and numeric pockets has been shown as at 48. This pocket exists in the second or middle tier of pockets associated with the triple deck sorter arrangement.

The arrangement of parts thus far described is more or less conventional in its construction and no claim is made herein to any novelty associated therewith, the invention residing rather in the combination, construction andarrangement of parts associated with the analyzing unit which will now be more fully described.

Referring now to Fig. 5, the analyzing unit comprising the present invention is designated in its entirety at 50 and includes a base plate 52 which is suspended by means of studs 54 from a pair of angle brackets 56 secured as at 58 to the front and rear members ill and II. The entire analyzin unit is thus removable from the sorting machine for purposes of inspection or repair, while at the same time the studs it constitute suspension members by means of which the angularity and elevation of the unit as a whole may be adjusted for proper registry of parts with the various chute blades II, whose movement the unit is 7 designed to control. Siutablyanchored to base plate 02 by means of studs are front and rear frame members or plates 02 and 04 each having a narrow upstanding portion 00 (Fig. 2) at the upper end thereof across the top of which there extends a bridge member or plate 00 anchored thereto at its ends as at I0 (Fig. 1). ,The forward edge of the bridge member 08 is provided with a comb-likeportion 12, the voids of which serve as guides for the upper ends of a series of chute blade lifters II, the nature and function of which will shortly become apparent. A retaining plate 10 also extend across the upper end of the frame members 02 and 0| and is anchored as at II thereto. A chute blade supporting plate 00 (Fig. 2) is positioned on top of the bridge member 00 and is secured to the upper ends of the members- 02 and 04 by means of screws 02 (Fig. 1) and has an upwardly inclined portion 04. the rear edge of which forms a horizontal line support for the chute blades 35 a short distance rearwardly of the forward ends thereof.

The chute blades 30 per se are of very thin, narrow and flat construction. as may be seen from an inspection of Fig. 1. The forward ends of these blades throughout an appreciable distance are arranged in parallelism immediately below the card line, i. e. below the level of the path of travel of the cards as they leave the card stack. The

extreme forward ends of the blades are twisted or turned at an angle of 90 from the remainder of the blades, as shown at 00, to provide a more distinct line of separation between the adjacent blades.

A substantially U-shaped bearing plate 88 (Figs. 1, 3, 4 and is secured as at 00 to the front frame member 02 and carries an anti-friction bearing 02 centrally thereof. Similarly. another but elongated U-shaped bracket 04 is secured as at 00 to the rear plate 04 and has mounted centrally thereof an anti-friction-bearing 08. A cam shaft I00 extends completely across the analyzing unit II and has its opposite ends rotatably iournaied in the two anti-friction bearings 92 and 80. The rear end of the cam shaft I00 projects outwardly beyond the bracket 04 and has secured thereto as at I04 a driving gear I" adapted to be driven from a similar gear I00 carried on a main shaft I00 that derives its motion through a train of gearing (not shown), leading to the drive shaft of the sorting machine motor (not shown). The bracket 04 and cam shaft I00 extend completely through the rear member I2 of the sorting machine, a clearance being provided as at IIO (Fig. 5) for this purpose so that the train of driving mechanism for the entire sorting machine, as well as for the analyzing unit 50, is situated substantially in its entirety at the extreme rear side of the sorting machine. The portion of the cam shaft I00 existing between the front and rear frame members 02 and 04 has formed thereon a series of thirty-eight closely spaced individual camelements collectively designated at III (Figs. 2 and 5). For reasons that will become clear presently, these cam elements are referred to as "drop-oil" cams, Each of the cams 2 is designed for cooperation with a respective chute blade lifter It, the lower end of which rides upon the periphery of its respective cam, and the upper end of which, as previously stated, is guided in the slots provided in the comb-like structure 12. The upper ends of the chute blade lifters 14 are provided with flat top portions II whi h normally 8 occupy positions slightly below the level of the turned ends 86 of the chute blades 20.

Before entering into a detailed description of the nature of the cams I I2 on the cam shaft III. or of the chute blade lifters ll, it is deemed pertinent to refer to Fig. 6 and note that the cams. lifters and chute blades are divided into four adjacent zones labeled from left to right in this figure the 0, "11," "12 and fnumeric" zones. The chute blades, lifters and cams in the "numeric" zone are labeled, reading from left to right, 9,. "8'" 7, 6,1! 5' '4, 1:13,. (2, (31,! [(0,9) '11 and 12" this labeling corresponding to successive index point positions in any selected column of a standard Hollerith type record card. For

each of the chute blades in this "numeric" zone 0 zonehave also been labeled from 9 to .2, read-- ing backward; in the 11 zone from 9 to 1, reading backward; and in the 12 zone from 0 to 1, reading backward, Thus, there are eight chute blades in the 0 zone and nine chute blades in the 11 and 12 zones each. The reason for the omissions of a blade in the 0 zone labeled 1 resides in the fact that in the Hollerith code system no alphabetic combination, including a perforation in the 1 index position and a perforation in the 0 index positon, exists. The diagrammatic illustration of Fig. 6 is not only illustrative of the particular division of the chute blades 25 into four zones, but it is also illustrative'of the Hollerith code. For example, in this code the letter F is represented by the numeric perforation 0 and thezone perforation '12; the letter L is represented by the numeric perforation .3 and the zone perforation 11, and the letter X is represented by the numeric perforation 7 and the zone perforation 0, etc.

Referring again to Fig. 2, and particularly to the arrangement of cams H2 shown at the lower region of this figure, each of the cams is possessed of a high point I20 and a low peripheral region I22, together with a rise portion I24 connecting the low and high regions of the cam. The high point I20 and the low region I22 of each cam merges by a relatively steep dropofl portion I20. Treating each of the four above mentioned zones separately, the cams in each of these zones are arranged with their drop-oi! portions I20 in seriatim 20 apart. Thus the unit is an 18-point cycle machine with the standard Hollerith cards traveling along the card path V inch per point. In Fig. 2, one of the chute blade lifters I4 is shown as resting upon the high point-of the first or 9 cam of the 12 zone with the lifter about to drop oil during the next point in the machine cycle. It will be understood that all of the lifters 14 which rest upon their respective 9 cams in their respective zones are in their high positions. Thus, corresponding lifters in each zone are adapted to drop off in unison or synchronism.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 5 and 6, a pair of transverse bars I28 are secured to the frame members 62 and 64 and have extending thereacross a latch I46.

amass shelf portion I80 provided with a row of thirtyeight apertures I82 through which the lower ends of the various chute blade lifters 14 extend. Each chute blade lifter is formed adjacent its lower end with a protuberance I86 which, in combination with the shelf portion I80, determines the lowermost position of the chute blade lifters 14 wherein there is a slight clearance between the lower end thereof and the low region I22 of its respective lifter cam I I2, thus in a measure preventing excessive wear at the lower ends of the chute blades.

Each chute blade lifter 14 is provided with a ledge portion I38 medially and on the rear side thereof. In the zone these ledge portions are designed for cooperation with a sliding latch member I40, hereinafter referred to as the 0 latch. In the 11 zone, the ledge portions are designed for cooperation with a similar 11" latch I42. In the 12 zone, the ledge portions I88 are designed for cooperation with a 12" latch I44, and in the numeric zone the ledge portions I88 are designed for cooperation with a numeric Each of the chute blade lifters 14 is provided with a second ledge portion I48 on the front side thereof, all of which are designed for cooperation with a latch I50, hereinafter referred to as the common or holding latch.

Still referring to Fig. 2, a vertically extending plate I52 extends across the analyzing unit 50 between the front and rear members 62 and 64 and is secured as at I54 to blocks I56 which are in turn secured as at I58 to the frame members. A U-shaped member I60 is secured as at I62 to the lower regions of the plate I52 and extends across the machine in such a manner that its upper edge forms a support for the rear regions of the 0, 11, 12 and numeric latch members I40, I42, I44 and I46 respectively. These latch members are thus guided between the upper edge of the member I60 and the lower edge of the plate I52. A vertically movable bail member I64 is provided with an integral cross piece I66 upon the upper edge of which the forward ends of each of the latch members I40, I42, I44 and I46 are adapted to rest. A retaining member I68 forms in combination with the cross piece I66 a guide for the forward ends of the various latches. The

bail is normally maintained in its lowermost position by means of a compression spring I which is centered on a centering pin I12 that projects downwardly from the bridge member 68 and the lower end of which bears against the upper end of the bail I64. The bail member is provided with a pair of foot portions I14 which project downwardly through apertures formed adjacent opposite sides of the shelf portion I80 to permit the foot portions to cooperate with a pair of bail cams I16 mounted on the cam shaft I00 just inside the two frame members 62 and 64.

Each of the latch members I40, I42, I44 and I46 is provided with a recess I18 in its rear edge through which recess there projects a tongue I80 formed on a spring element I82, the various elments being secured by the previously mentioned securing means I54 to the vertically extending plate I52. It will be seen, therefore, that the four latch members are each normally urged in a forward direction under the influence of their respective spring elements I82.

The flexible spring elements I82 are each adapted to be maintained in an outwardly sprung position by means of an armature latch 184 as- ,sociated with a respective electromagnet I88.

An outline of the four electromagnets appears in Fig. 6, each magnet being associated with one of the four zones 0, 11, 12 and numeric, and being individually designated at M0, M11, Mn and MNum. A U-shaped channel piece I88 extends across the machine and is supported on the shelf portion I and the four magnets are situated within this channel piece in spaced relationship. The rear ends of the armature latches I84 are provided with tongues I00 which project through the forward sides of the channelmembers I08, which tongues are normally urged downwardly by means of coil springs I82, thus normally urging the rear edges of the armature latches I84 upwardly. The rear edges of the armature latches I84 are provided with notched portions I84 adapted to retain therein the lower edge of the tongues I80 formed on the spring elements I82. with the parts arranged as shown in Fig'. 2, it will be seen that normally the armature latches I84 serve to maintain the spring elements I82 flexed so that the latches associated with each chute blade zone are maintained in their retracted positions. Upon energization of any one of the magnets I86 in the 0, 11, 12 or numeric zone, its respective armature latch I84 will be attracted downwardly thus releasing the ends of their associated spring elements I82 and allowing the respective zone latch to be projected forwardly to a position wherein its forward edge underlies such of the ledges I38 associated with such chute blade lifters 14 as happen to be maintained' elevated in the particular chute blade zone.

The common or holding latch I50 is mounted in the analyzing unit 50 in a manner similar to the mounting of the latches I44 and has associated therewith an electromagnet I86 similar in function to the zone magnets described above. In Fig. '7 this magnet has been labeled Mom. The mounting and operating elements for the common or holding latch I50, including the cross plate, leaf spring element, armature latch and the like are not described in detail herein but have been assigned identical reference numerals to the corresponding parts associated with the latches I44. From an inspection of Figs. 3 and 6 it will be seen that the latch I50 is common to all of the chute blade lifters 14 and when projected rearwardly toward these lifters the forward edge thereof is adapted to 'move under the ledge I48 associated with any lifter in the entire series which happens to be in its elevated position.

The rear end of the common latch I50 slidably rests upon a cross bar I98 which cooperates with a retainer 200 and forms a guideway for this end of the latch.

For purposes that will become apparent when the specific operation of the analyzer unit is set forth in the sorting of numeric punched cards in the numeric and alphabetic punched cards in the 0, 11 and 12 zones, means are provided whereby upon energization of the magnet Mo, the magnet M11 will become energized and whereby upon energization of the magnet Mn the magnet M12 will become energized automatically. Toward this end, energization of the magnet M0, in addition to controlling the projection of its respective latch, also effects closing of a pair of contacts M11: (see Fig. 7) in the circuit of the magnet M11. Similarly, the magnet M11 effects closing of a pair ofv contacts Mm. in the circuit of the magnet M12.

Referring again to Fig. 2, the lower shaft 26 on which the lower rollers 22 of the third pair of ieed rolls are mounted also has mounted thereon a latch restoring cam 202 designed for cooperation with a. finger 204 formed on a plate 205 mounted on rockable cross bar 208 that extends between and is journaled in the frame members 82, 64. The lower end of the plate 205 has formed thereon a finger 201 which extends into an aperture 208 formed in the common latch I50. The cam 202 is formed with a cam protuberance 2I0 which is adapted near the extreme end of the machine cycle to engage the finger 204 and tilt the bar 208 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, to cause the finger 201 to engage the forward edge of the aperture 208 and restore the latch I84 to its inoperative or retracted position.

v A spring 200 normally urges the plate 205 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, to insure cooperation between the cam elements 204 and In a similar manner, the shaft 24 on which the lower rollers 80 of the fourth set of feed rolls is mounted has formed thereon a cam 220 including a cam protuberance 222 designed for engagement with a finger 224 formed on a plate 228 carried on a cross bar 228 and spring pressed as at 229, all of these elements being similar to the previously described elements 202, 204, 20 5 and 208 respectively. The, lower edge of the plate 228 is provided with a series of fingers 220 each of which extends into an aperture 282 formed in one of the latch members I40, I42, I44 or I48, as the casemay be. These latches, it will be remembered, are the zone latch, the 11 zone latch, the I2 zone latch and the numeric zone latch respectively. The protuberance 222 of the cam 220 is adapted near the end of the machine cycle to engage the finger 224 to tilt the bar 228 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, to restore all of the latches simultaneously to their retracted or inoperative posio tions.

After proper selection of the forward ends of the chute blades 85 has been made and these ends have become fully elevated by the action of the bail I84 and the supporting latches whose forward edges occupy positions under the ledge portions I38 of the lifting elements I4, the card undergoing sorting approaches and enters the space existing between a pair of adjacent chute blades, one of which is elevated and the other of which remains lowered. This space or opening. and only this opening, existing between a pair of adjacent chute blades, is available if the card is to be properly directed to its assigned pocket. In order to protect the card against the relatively sharp lower edges of the chute blades as the card enters the opening provided for it by the latter, a separator slide 250 is adapted to be moved into position underneath the extreme blade. are provided. These members are pivoted on a common cross shaft 282 and each restoring member is normally urged downwardly by a spring finger 284 formed on a comb-like member 288 which is secured as at 288 to a cross bar 200 mounted on the upper card guide 44. Each member 280 is provided with an inclined cam surface 202 to guide the card under any of the members 280 that are not elevated at the time the leading edge of the card arrives, under said members. When the separator slide 250 is moved to its retracted position the tips 88 of the raised chute blades are released and, under the influence of the spring fingers 284, the related members 288 impel them downward.

Still referring to Fig. 2, a horizontal shelf 28. is secured to the underneath side of the bridge member 08. This shelf 2", in conjunction with a retaining element 284, affords a recess for re- 2o ception therein of the rear edges-of a series of three spring plates 288 carrying bridge elements 210 at their forward ends, the upper edges of which normally remain fiush with the upper ends 'of the chute blades when the latter are in their partially elevated positions and are resting on be made clear when a description of the operation of the analyzingunit is resorted to. It is deemed sufllcie'nt at the present time to state that these bridge elements 210 are for the purpose of bridging certain gaps that may possibly occur between a series of elevated chute blade lifters and a series forward ends of those chute blades which have been elevated. The separator slide has a portion thereof formed with a, pair of recesses 252 formed therein into which there extends the lower ends of a pair of fingers 254 which are secured as at 258 on an oscillatable shaft 258. The shaft 258 (Figs. 1 and 5) has mounted thereon an am 250 carrying a cam follower 28I designed for engagement with a cam 258 mounted on the shaft 34 which carries the lower feed rollers 80.

After one or more of the chute blades has become fully elevated, and in order to permit positive retraction of the same to its lowermost position at the proper point in the machine cycle, a plurality of restoring members 280, one for each of lowered chute blade lifters to prevent multiple paths being provided for the card leading to different sorting pockets and thus prevent rupture of the cards.

The operationof-the present analyzing unit may best be set forth by reference to diagrammatic Figs. 6 and 7 wherein the relationship between the chute blade lifters 14, their ledge portions I88 and the fivelatch members I40, I42, I44, I48 and I50 is diagrammatically expressed. It is deemed unnecessary to illustrate the Hollerith code which forms a basis for the operation of the present machine inasmuch as by the labeling of numerals and letters on the various latches the specific nature of the code is evident. Assuming, for example. that a record card bearing a numeric code designation thereon comprising a single perforation in the "4" index posiof the card is sensed by the sensing brush s, the

commutator rotor or will make electrical contact with the 4 segment. At the same time, in all four of the zones, namely, 0, 11. 12 and numeric zones, the 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5 chute blade lifters I4 will have dropped off under the influence of their respective cams. The 4, 3 and 2 lifters in the 0 zone, the 4, 3, 2 and 1 lifters in the 11 and 12- zones, and the 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 11 and 12 lifters in the numeric zone will remain elevated. A circuit will then exist from the positiveside of the line through the contact roll 0 at the sensing station S, sensing brush 3, card lever contacts CLC (common to sorting machines of most types). commutator rotor .01, 4 segment, common magnet' Mccm, numeric magnet Mlluln to the negation is presented at the sensing station shown at lifters. being above the forward edge of the numerlc latch and also, incidentally, above the forward edge of the common latch, will be supported in their elevated positions so that they cannot drop off. Toward the end of the card cycle, when the bail member I64 (Fig. 2) becomes elevated under the influence of the bail cams I18, the upper edge of thebail will engage the underneath side of the numeric latch, thereby moving it upwardly, to carry with it the 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 11 and 12 chute blade lifters and, consequently, their corresponding chute blades. All of the other chute blade lifters to the left of those thus mentioned will remain in their lowered positions. Thus an opening will be created between those chute blade lifters that are elevated and those that are lowered providing a path for the card leadingv to the 4 pocket. Almost simultaneously with the entry of the forward edge of the card into the path provided for it by the chute blades, the separator slide 2-50 will move into position beneath the elevated chute blades to protect the cards from the sharp edges of the chute blades.

Where an alphabetic sorting operation involving the 12 zone, as forexample, a card punchedwith the designation G, is concerned, this card will contain a perforation in the 7 index point position and in the 12 index point position.

When the 7 index point position is sensed at the sensing station S, a circuit will be completed from the positive side of the line through the contact roll c, sensing brush s, card lever contacts CLC, commutator rotor cr, '7 contact segment, common magnet and numeric magnet to the negative side of the line. As before, this will project the common latch and numeric latch at the time these latches are projected. The 9 and 8 chute blade lifters ll will be in their lower positions, while the '1, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 lifters in the zone, the '7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 lifters in the 11 and 12 zones and the 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 11, 12 lifters in the numeric zone will be elevated. As the cycle proceeds, the respective cams M2 for these latter chute blade lifters will move away from the lower ends of the lifters but the lifters will not fall or drop of! because they are latched. When the second perforation in the 12 zone of the card is sensed, a circuit will then be established from the positive side of the line through the contact roll c, sensing brush s, card lever contacts CLC, commutator rotor 01', 12 segment, 12 zone magnet M12, numeric magnet MNum to the negative side of the line. The second impulse applied to the numeric magnet will be meaningless since this magnet is of the trip type but the impulse applied to the 12 zone magnet M12 will, by means previously outlined, project the 12 latch beneath the 'l, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 chute blade lifters 14 already held elevated by the common latch I50. Shortly thereafter, the bail cam goes into effect and the bail member I64 engages the underneath side of both the 12 latch and the numeric latch to raise the latch and those lifters which are supported thereon. Ordinarily, according to the operation Just described, operation 'of the bail would serve 14 tofullyelevatethefl,'8,5.4.3,2, iehutehlade lifters 1| in the 12 zone and the I, 6. 5, 4,8,2, 1, 0, 11, 12 lifters in the numeric zone, thus leaving the 9 and 8 lifters of the numeiic'so'ne lowered so that the 9, 8 chute blades in the numeric zone do not become elevated. Two-paths would then exist for the card, one path leading to the G alphabetic pocket and the other path'leading to the numeric pocket. This obviously would cause shearing of the record card since the card cannot proceed along two. separate-.and independent paths. To remedy this condition, the

bridge element 210 is provided havingits upper edge substantiall flush'and co-exte'nsive with the upper ends of the 9, 8, I. 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2 chute blade lifters ll. The finger 212 onthlslifter cooperates with the ledge I" onthe 1 chute blade lifter in the 12 zone so that whenever this latter lifter becomes elevated the bri zceiement is tilted upwardly so that its upperedge bridges the gap caused by failure of the 9 and 8 chute bladelifters to rise. Thus a continuous unbroken edge is provided leading all the way from the G chute blade lifters of the 12 zone to the 12 chute blade lifter of the numeric zone and all of the chute blade lifters from'G to 12 just mentioned will become elevated, while all of the chute blade lifters from H to Z in the other direction and a single card path for the card leading to the G 'pocket is aflorded.

To take an example of alphabetic sorting involving the 11 zone, the letter K may be selected.

This letter in the Hollerithc'ede involves a perforation in the 2 index point position and a perforation in the 11 index point position. When the 2 numeric perforation is sensed, a circuit will be established, as previously described, to energize the common magnet and the numeric magnet, thus projecting, as always, the common and numeric latches. At this time, the 9, 8, 7, 8,- 5, 4 and 3 chute blade lifters of all'four zones will be lowered under the influence of their respective cams, whilethe 2 chute blade lifters of the 0 zone. the 2 and 1 lifters of then and 12 zones and the 2,1, 0, 11 and 12 lifters of the numeric zone will be elevated. In this latter zone the 2, 1, 0, 11 and 12 lifters will be latched jointly by the numeric and common latch, while the 2 and 1 lifters of the 0. 11 and 12 zones will be latched by the commonlatch. Later thetycle. when the 11 perforation is sensed, ,e, 11 latch will be projected by a circuit leading from the positive side of the line through the contact roll 0, sensing brush a, card lever contacts CDC, commutator rotor or, 11 commutator segment, 11 zone magnet Mn, numeric magnet Mam to the negative side of the line. As before, the second impulse applied to the numeric magnet will be without function but the impulse applied to the 11 zone magnet will prolect the 11 latch forwardly to latch the 2 "and 1 lifters in the 11 zone. As soon as the ll-latch is projected by energization of the 11 zone magnet Mu, the pair of contacts Mm. (Figs. 2 and '1) become closed, establishing a circuit through the 12 zone magnet M12. in an electrical path substantially parallel to the electrical path of the 11 zone magnet Mn. A third impulse is thus applied to the numeric magnet but this impulse is without function and the 11 zone latch is projected forwardly. At the endof the cycle, under the influence of the bail cam, the bail member I is elevated andengages the 11, 12 and numeric latches raising all three of them upwardly and carrying with them the 2 and 1 lifters in the 11 and 12 zones and 18 the 2, 1, 0, 11 and 12 lifters in the numeric zone.

Ordinarily, in the absence of the bridge element 210 in the 12 and numeric zones, a gap would be created where the 9, 8, 7, 8, 5, 4 and 3 chute blade lifters in these two zones failed to rise. These bridge elements, however, rise in the manner previously described to bridge these gaps so that a continuous unbroken train of elevated chute blade lifters exists from the-alphabetic K chute blade lifter in the 11 zone to the 12 chute blade lifter in the numeric zone and thus instead of three independent paths being afforded for the record card a single path leading to the K pocket exists. The separator slide then becomes effective as before.

For an example of alphabetic sorting in the zone, the letter Z'is selected. 'Ihisletterin the Hcllerith code is represented by a perforation in the 9 numeric index point position and a perforation in the .0 alphabetic point position. As the record card enters the sensing station with the 9 index point position' leading, the perforation in this position is immediately sensed before any of the chute blade lifters have been lowered. The numeric and common latches are projected, as previously described, and all chute blade lifters in the entire series are latched by the common latch.

The cams 2 move away in seriatim from the lifters in each zone until such time as the perforation in the second perforation 0 index point position of the record card is sensed, whereupon a circuit leading from the positive side of the line through the contact roll c, sensing brush 8, card lever contacts CLC, commutator rotor cr; 0 segment of the commutator, 0 zone magnet Mo, numeric magnet Mflum, to the negative side of the line, thus projecting the 0 latch. When the 0 zone magnet is energized, the contact Moassociated therewith becomes closed, thus energizing the 11 zone magnet. Energization of this latter magnet closes the contacts Muto energize the 12 zone magnet in the manner previously described. Thus, after the 0 latch is projected, the 11 and 12 latches become projected in rapid suecession, and. with the numeric and common latches already projected, all five latches associated with the analyzing unit are projected at the time the perforation in the 0 zone is encountered at the sensing station. Immediately upon elevation of the bail member I the 0. 11, 12 and numeric latches are-engaged and elevated so that all of the lifters and all of the chute blades are raised to provide a path for the record card leading to the Z pocket. 7

In the instance just described involving the alphabetic designation Z, although the bridge element 2'"! in the 11 zone rises to forestall any possible contingency of four separate paths being provided for the record card, thus rupturing the card in three places, it has no function in this instance. For any other letter from S to Z in this zone its rising would serve to bridge a gap that would ordinarily be created in the 11 zone in a manner that obviously follows from the previous description of its companion latches in the other zones.

From the above description involving four separate sorting operations. one in each zone, it will be seen that the function of the common latch is that of a holding element. This latch goes into operation whenever a numeric perforationin the record card is encountered. Since the bail I64 does not register with this latch in its projected position, the only function of this latch is to hold the elevated lifters in every zone against dropping in the alphabetic zones, i. e., the 0, 11 or 12 zones.

will be projected followed by rapid projection of the next adjacent latch, if any, reading from left to right in Fig. 6. When the bail cam rises it will engage only such' latches as have been prolected in the four zones and will by-pass such latches as have not been projected. In their partially elevated positions, the chute blade lifters in the alphabetico, 11 or 12 zones which have been latched by the common latch and which, therefore, cannot drop of! are not sumciently elevated as to affect the chute blades and the only time the lifters can affect or elevate the chute blade is when the chute blade becomes elevated and engages one or more latches in the four zones.

If desired, in the manufacture of the analyzing While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the apparatus illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims. '1

What is claimed is:

1. In a cyclically operable sorting machine for record cards having zone and numeric index points and including sensing means for sensing numeric and alphabetic perforations occurring at said index points, a plurality of card-receiving stations, a plurality of sorting blades forming passages for directing the cards to said stations. said blades being biased so as to normally assume lowered positions, a plurality of blade lifters, one for each blade, each lifter being movable from a lowered position through an intermediate or partially elevated position to a fully elevated position wherein it engages its respective blade to elevate the same, said blades and their respective lifters being separated into numeric and alphabetic zones, means operable during each card cycle for moving said lifters from their intermediate positions to their lowered positions in each zone in seriatim simultaneously in unison, a holding latch movable from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it engages the partially elevated lifters of the alphabetic zone to maintain the same partially elevated, a numeric zone latch movable from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it engages the partially elevated lifters in the numeric zone to maintain the same elevated, an alphabetic zone latch movable from a retracted position to an advanced in a record card for projecting said alphabetic zone latch, and means operable near the end of each card cycle for elevating the projected zone latches.

2. In a cyclically operable sorting machine forv record cards having zone and numeric index points and including sensing means for sensing perforations occurring at said index points, a plurality of card-receiving stations, a plurality of sorting blades forming passages for directing the cards to said stations, said blades being biased so as to normally assume lowered positions, a plurality of blade litters, one for each blade, each lifter being movable from a lowered position through an intermediate or partially elevated position to a fully elevated position wherein it engages. its respective blade to elevate the same, said blades and their respective lifters being separated into numeric and alphabetic zones, means operable during each card cycle for moving saidlifters from their intermediate positions to their lowered positions in each zone in seriatim simultaneously in unison, a holding latch common to all of said blades and movable from a normally retracted position to an advanced position wherein it engages the partially elevated lifters and maintains the same partially elevated, a numeric zone latch movable from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it engages the partially elevated lifters in the numeric zone to maintain the same elevated, an alphabetic zone latch movable from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it engages the partially elevated lifters in the alphabetic zone and maintains the same partially elevated, means operable upon sensing of a numeric perforation in a record card to project the numeric zone latch and the holding latch substantially simultaneously, means operable upon sensing of an alphabetic perforation in a record card for projecting said alphabetic zone latch, and means operable near the end of each card cycle for elevating theproiected zone latches.

3. In a cyclically operable sorting machine for record cards having zone and numeric index points and including sensing means for sensing numeric and alphabetic perforations occurring at said index points. a plurality of card-receiving stations, a plurality of sorting blades forming passages for directing the cards to said stations, s'aid blades being biased so as to normally assume lowered positions, a plurality of blade lifters, one for each blade, each lifter being movable from a lowered position through an intermediate or partially elevated position to a fully elevated position wherein it engages its respective blade to elevate the same, said blades and their respective lifters being separated into a first alphabetic zone, a second alphabetic zone and a numeric amazes 18 tially elevated, a latch member for each alphabetic zone movable from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it engages the partially elevatedlifters in-its respectivezone and maintains the same partially elevated, means operable upon sensing of a numeric perforation in a record card to project the numeric zone latch and the holdin latch substantially simultaneously, means operable upon sensing an alphabetic perforation in a record card for projecting one of said alphabetic zone latches according to the particular alphabetic perforation sensed in the record card, means operable upon projection of the first alphabetic zone latch for automatically projecting the second alphabetic zone latch, and means operable near the end of each card cycle for elevating the projected zone latches.

4. In a cyclically operable sorting machine for record. card: having zone and numeric index points and including sensing means for sensing numeric and alphabetic perforations occurring at said index points, a plurality of card-receiving stations, a plurality of sortin blades forming passages for directing the cards to said stations, said blades being biased so as to normally assume lowered positions, a plurality of blade lifters, one for each blade, each liiter being movable from a lowered position through an intermediate or partially elevated position to a fully elevated position wherein it engages its respective blade to elevate the same, said blades and their respective lifters being separated into a =ilrst alphabetic zone, a second alphabetic zone, a third alphabetic zone and a numeric zone, means-operable during each card cycle for moving said lifters from their intermediate positions to their lowered positions in each zone in seriatim simultaneously in unison, a holding latch common to said alphabetic zones movable from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it engages the partially elevated lifters oi the alphabetic'zones to ,maintain the same partially elevated, a numeric zone latch movable from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it engages the partially elevated lifters in the numeric zone to maintain the same elevated, an alphabetic zone latch for each alphabetic zone movable from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it engag s the partially elevated lifters in its respective zone and maintains the same partially elevated, means operable upon sensing of a numeric perforation in a record card to project the numeric zone latch and the holding latch substantially simu1tane-- ousiy, means operable upon sensing of an alphabetic perforation in the record card for projecting one of said alphabetic zone latches according to the particular alphabetic perforation sensed, means operable upon projection of the first alphabetic zone latch for automatically projecting the second alphabetic zone latch, means operable upon projectlon of said second alphabetic zone latch for projecting said third alphabetic zone latch, and means operable near the end of each card cycle for elevating the projected zone latches.

5. In a cyclically operable sorting machine for record cards having zone and numeric index points and including sensing means for sensin numeric and alphabetic perforations occurring at said index points, a plurality of card-receiving stations, a plurality of sorting blades forming passages for directing the cards to said stations, said blades being biased so as to normally assume lowered positions, a plurality of blade lifters, one for each blade, each lifter being movable from a l9 lowered position through an intermediate or partially elevated position to a fully elevated position wherein it engages its respective blade to elevate the same, said blades and their respective lifters being separated into numeric and alphabetic zones, means operable during each card cycle for moving said lifters from their intermediate positions to their lowered positions in each zone in seriatim simultaneously in unison, a holding latch movable from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it engages the partially elevated litters oi the alphabetic zone to maintain the same partially elevated, a numeric zone latch movable from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it engages the partially elevated liiters in the numeric zoneto maintain the same elevated, an alphabetic zone latch movable from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it engages the partially elevated lifters in the alphabetic zone and maintains the same partially elevated, means operable upon sensing of a numeric perforation in a record card to project the numeric zone latch and the holding latch substantially simultaneously, means operable upon sensing of an alphabetic perforation in a record card for projecting said alphabetic zone latch, a bridge member movable from a lowered position to an elevated position wherein it engages certain chute blades in the numeric zone to elevate the same,.means operable upon elevation of one of the chute blade lifters in the alphabetic zone for elevating said bridge member, and means operable near the end of each card cycle for elevatin the projected zone latches.

6. In a. cyclically operable sorting machine for record cards having zone and numeric index points and including sensing means for sensing numeric and alphabetic perforations occurring at said index points, a plurality of card-receiving stations, a plurality of sorting blades forming passages for directing the cards to said stations, said blades being biased so as to normally assume lowered positions, a plurality of blade lifters, one for each blade, each lifter being movable from a lowered position through an intermediate or partially elevated position to a fully elevated position wherein it engages its respective blade to elevate the same, said blades and their respective lifters being separated into a first alphabetic zone, a second alphabetic zone and a numeric zone, means operable during each card cycle for moving said lifters from their intermediate positions to their lowered positions in each zone in seriatim simultaneously in unison, a holding latch common to said alphabetic zones movable from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it engages the partially elevated lifters of the alphabetic zones to maintain the same partially elevated, a numeric zone latch movable from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it engages the partially elevated lifters in the numeric zone to maintain the same partially elevated, a latch member for each alphabetic zo'ne movable from a retracted position to an advanced position 'wherein it engages the partially elevated lifters in its respective zone and maintains the same partially elevated, means operable upon sensing of a numeric perforation in a record card to project the numeric zone latch and the holding latch substantially simultaneously, means operable upon sensing an alphabetic perforation in a record card for projecting one of said alphabetic zone latches according to the particular alphabetic perforation sensed in the record card, means operable upon projection of the first alphabetic zone latch for automatically projecting the second al- I phabetic zone latch, a bridge member in the numeric zone movable from a lowered position to an elevated position wherein it engages certain of the chute blades in the numeric zone to elevate the same, a bridge member in the third al phabetic zone movable from a lowered position:

member, and means operable near the end of each card cycle for elevating the projected latches.

7. In a cyclically operable sorting machine for record cards having zone and numeric index points and including sensing means for sensing,

numeric and alphabetic perforations occurring at said index points, a plurality of card-receiv-. ing stations, a plurality of sorting blades forming passages for directing the cards to said stations, said blades being biased so as to nomnally assume lowered positions, a plurality of blade lifters, one for each blade, each lifter being movable from a lowered position through an intermediate or partially elevated position to a fully elevated position wherein it engages its respective blade to elevate the same, said blades and their respective lifters being separated into a first alphabetic zone, a second alphabetic zone, a third alphabetic zone and a numeric zone, means operable during each card cycle for moving said lifters from their intermediate positions to their lowered positions in each zone in seriatim simultaneously in unison, a holding latch common to said alphabetic zones movable from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it engages the partially elevated lifters of the alphabetic zones to maintain the same partially elevated, a numeric zone latch movable from a in it engages the partially elevated lifters in the numeric zone to maintain the same elevated, an alphabetic zone latch for each alphabetic zone movable from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it engages the partially elevated lifters in its respective zone and maintains the same partially elevated, means operable upon sensing of a numeric perforation in a record card to project the numeric zone latch and the holding latch substantially simultaneously, means operable upon sensing of an alphabetic perforation in the record card for projecting one of said alphabetic zone latches according to the particular alphabetic perforation sensed, means operable upon projection 01 the first alphabetic zone latch for automatically projecting the second alphabetic zone latch, means operable upon projection of said second alphabetic zone latch for projecting said third alphabetic zone latch, a bridge member in the numeric zone movable from a lowered position to an elevated position wherein it engages certain of the chute blades in said zone to elevate the same, a bridge member in the third alphabetic zone movable from a lowered position to an elevated position wherein it engages certain of the chute blades in said latter zone to elevate the same, a bridge member in the second alphabetic zone movable from a lowered position to an elevated position wherein t eng ges the chute blades in said latter zone to elevate the same, means operable upon elevation ber, means operable upon elevation of one of the of one of the chute blades in the third alphabetic lifters in the first alphabetic zone for elevating zone for elevating said numeric zone bridgememsaid second alphabetic zone bridge member, and her, means operablenpon elevation of one 01 the means operable near the end of each card cycle chute blades in the second alphabetic zone for 5 for elevating the projected latches.

elevating said third alphabetic zone bridge mem- EUGENE A. FORD. 

